- Subject: IP: You think this database anonymizes entries? [Best use a payphone
- Date: Fri, 11 Oct 1996 07:11:52 PST
- A1-type: DOCUMENT
- Importance: normal
>Many of us have seen and heard the television and radio commercials for a >new in-home HIV test that is accurate, fast, and anonymous. >The test works as follows: >You buy the kit. Go home and follow the directions and obtain a sample. >Mail the sample to the lab. In 3 days, call the lab and enter in the >`secret' code and the results of the test performed on the sample matching >your `secret' code will be revealed to you. The secret code is used to >ensure anonymity so the user doesn't have to reveal their name. >Anonymous? Not at all!!! And here's why. >Whenever you call a 1-800 number, your phone number is captured and >forwarded to the company for billing purposes. Absolutely correct!! So be sure to call the 800 number from a pay phone. This brings up a point, though. Wouldn't it be risky to build a database using caller-id for something like HIV status? Who knows whose phone you are calling from. If they don't have your name, they can't be sure who called from any particular phone. Just a thought... Connie